The effect of diet on immune responsiveness and aging.
Immunologic changes which occur during aging include decreased responsiveness to exogenous antigens and increased autoimmune responses. Autoimmune reactions to autologous antigens may interfere with the physiologic function of these antigens and be a factor in the 'wearing out' of tissue during aging. Amelioration of age associated autoimmunity may result in an increased life span. Dietary manipulation has been shown to produce changes in the immune system of experimental animals. Some benefits include a decreased propensity to spontaneous autoimmune disease with a resultant increased life span. Dietary changes may be capable of producing similar beneficial effects in humans.
D000375:Aging; D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D011502:Protein-Energy Malnutrition / Q000276:immunology; D051381:Rats